For Such A Time As This

God placed Queen Esther in the palace for a purpose. No doubt, Esther would rather have married a Jew and continued to live under the customs with which she grew up. But God knew that His people would need someone to save them from the foolishness of a king and the greed of a tyrant. That person was Esther. When faced with a true issue of life or death, Esther balked. Mordecai reminded her gently, "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." Mordecai knew that God would bring deliverance to the Jews no matter whether Esther helped or not, but Esther would no doubt miss the blessing if she did not obey.

When I registered for college classes I expected to have a member of our church as my English Composition professor. By a strange twist of scheduling, I ended up getting a different woman as my teacher. I had turned my teacher situation over to God from the registration day--and now I questioned His reasoning. "God, why did You put me in this lady's class? You know I really don't want to face this!" Mom reminded me when I complained, "Sarah, you are here 'for such a time as this'. You don't know what God intends to do through you in this woman's life." For such a time as this. At times I feel sorry for myself and adopt the martyr attitude Esther expressed later.."And if I perish, I perish." But I face each of her classes with prayer and an attempt to contemplate on scripture when she imposes her worldly view on the class. I do see His blessing. He allowed me to have this class with three girls from my church (and other churches), so I have that encouragement.

God has us where we are for where we are in our spiritual walk. I have to walk by faith and trust that He has it all under control. I rest in knowing that I am here "for such a time as this."

Sarah Clower, Me, Anna--happy days